AIR ASTANA AND LUFTHANSA SIGN CODESHARE AGREEMENT

Thursday 16th March 2017

Air Astana and Lufthansa, building on an already close relationship, have enhanced their cooperation further with the signing of a codeshare agreement yesterday.

The codeshare agreement is valid on Air Astana's flights between Astana and Frankfurt and Lufthansa's flights from Frankfurt to Almaty and Astana with effect from 26th March 2017.

The agreement allows for increased choice for the customers of both airlines. Passengers will now be able to choose from a combined total of 14 flights per week instead of the seven weekly flights between Kazakhstan and Germany by each carrier.

This is particularly convenient for connecting passengers, who now have the ability to choose the flight that suits their schedule best, with seamless connectivity.

Regardless of the operating carrier, passengers can fly a combination of Air Astana and Lufthansa services using the ticket and code of either of the two airlines.

"I'm delighted that the longstanding co-operative relationship between Air Astana and Lufthansa is being further strengthened with the signing of the codeshare agreement. Passengers flying from Almaty and Astana to Frankfurt can now enjoy a greater choice of flights to best suit their schedules and the convenience of simply using the ticket of either of the two airlines," said Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana. "This is a winning step for both airlines and their passengers flying between Kazakhstan and Germany."

Axel Hilgers, Senior Director Sales Russia, CIS & Israel at Lufthansa, said, "This code share agreement is great news for our customers as it makes Kazakhstan more accessible. Passengers of both Lufthansa and Air Astana will have a much greater choice in flight options. Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and we highly welcome Air Astana as our new partner, and as the leading airline to and from Central Asia."



Besides improved connectivity on the combined network of the two airlines, customers will enjoy the seamless convenience of flying with a single ticket, using a single code of their airline that can be used throughout check-in for both baggage and boarding pass/registration.

In order to provide increased convenience for its passengers, Air Astana will move to Terminal One at Frankfurt Airport for ease of connectivity with Lufthansa and partner airline flights.

ABOUT AIR ASTANA

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates flights to over 60 domestic and international routes from hubs in Astana and Almaty.

The company was incorporated in late 2001 and commenced operations on 15 May 2002. Air Astana fleet consists of Boeing 767, 757, Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named 'The Best Airline in Central Asia and India' that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

www.airastana.com